Thomas and Bert Jones

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Postby Kirk Jones » Sat Oct 13, 2007 2:38 am

Nope, no luck there either scully....
Kirk Jones
 
Posts: 9
Joined: Sat Apr 14, 2007 1:25 am
Location: Peterborough, Ontario, Canada

Postby Kirk Jones » Thu Aug 21, 2008 9:06 pm

In Memory of
Lance Corporal THOMAS HENRY JONES

241659, 1st/8th Bn., Worcestershire Regiment
who died age 24 on 21 August 1917
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Jones, of 32, Cherry St., Gig Mill, Stourbridge.
Remembered with honour

The 1/8th Worcesters attack the Maison du Hibou

During that day (August 18th) plans were made to take the Maison du Hibou; by nightfall all was arranged. The weather had been fine, which dried the mud sufficiently for reinforcements to operate with hope of success and the 1/8th were to have the support of tanks.

'C' Company, with 'D' in support, held the front line facing the Maison du Hibou. 'B' Company under Lieutenant Wilkes was brought up after midnight (18th/19th) to deliver the attack. The advance was difficult in the dark and a heavy barrage was put down by an enemy who expected an attack. Many casualties had already occurred, and dawn was breaking by the time 'B' Company reached their starting positions. The British guns opened a heavy bombardment at dawn, and put down a smoke barrage along the Langemarck Road.

Under that barrage, the tanks rolled across the stream at St Julien and pushed northwards past the captured Hillock Farm and deployed on the near by gun pits at Triangle Farm. Then they circled wound and opened fire on the Maison du Hibou from the rear. With 'C' Company already laying a heavy fire on the blockhouse from the front, 'B' Company dashed forward and into the buildings, killing a number of the enemy and forcing the rest to surrender. 'B' Company pressed on and captured Triangle Farm beyond; and finally, with the support of the tanks consolidate a position at the cross roads north of the Triangle, (where the Canadian Memorial now stands).

The Regimental History states: "It was a brilliant little success, which made the tactical situation f the 48th Division comparatively secure…From the broader point of view the affair is noteworthy as being the first definite success gained by the use of tanks in the offensives of 1917. That success silenced the disbelievers, tanks were restored to general favour, and plans were formed which led eventually to the great tank attack of Cambrai.

On the evening of August 20th the 1/8th Worcesters were relived and marched back to the canal bank. The losses of the Battalion during three days totalled some 19 men killed and wounded 47 wounded, (including two officers). Lieutenant Wilkes received a bar to his Military Cross for leading 'B' Company.
Kirk Jones
 
Posts: 9
Joined: Sat Apr 14, 2007 1:25 am
Location: Peterborough, Ontario, Canada

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